National Food Waste Recycling Week Encourages 'Brown Bin Champions'
As part of Wicklow’s Food Waste Recycling Week, join Michelle Phillips from Diversion Green, an expert on food waste recycling in today’s world. You will learn how to reduce food waste and save money, as well as what can and cannot go into the brown bin.
A recent study of over 1,000 adults revealed that despite widespread usage of brown bins, contamination remains a concern. This contamination can compromise the quality of compost and hinder our efforts toward a circular economy. Items that should not be placed in the brown bin include glass, metal objects like knives and forks, and plastics such as food wrappers and plant pots. Wicklow County Council is committed to reducing food waste by 50% by 2030 and aims to support individuals and communities interested in becoming part of the ‘composting brigade.’
Michelle will conduct workshops at several Wicklow libraries, including:
- Greystones Library (Thursday 5th June, 2-4 pm)
- Ballywaltrim Library (Friday 6th June, 10 am - 12 noon)
- Blessington Library (Friday 6th June, 2-4 pm)
Contact the individual libraries to book your free spot.
Wicklow County Council’s Cathaoirleach, Cllr Paul O’Brien, commented, “These events will continue to keep everyone’s focus on food waste and how each individual can make a difference not just this week but every week at home, in schools, and in local businesses. Properly reducing and recycling food waste will save money for all of us and will help reduce our carbon emissions, providing an effective way to engage in climate action and support the circular economy.”
Theresa O’Brien, Director of Services for Climate, Environment, Recreation, and Amenity, emphasised, “This week serves as a catalyst to inspire local action and encourage positive change. Local actions include communities and individuals growing their own food. Thinking about where our food comes from and the resources used to produce it can help reduce the climate impact of the food we eat and waste. When food is wasted, all the resources from water, energy, and time are also wasted. Supporting local produce is the best option whenever possible.”
What Can Go Into the Brown Bin?
The brown bin service accepts all types of food, including raw and cooked meat and fish, plate scrapings, as well as fruit and vegetable peelings. Other acceptable items include food-soiled paper napkins, paper towels, greasy pizza boxes, grass clippings, and light garden waste such as hedge clippings, spent compost, and dead plants.
What Cannot Go Into the Brown Bin?
To avoid contamination, remember to remove all packaging from food waste and refrain from adding large branches, stones, rubble, plastic plant pots, barbecue coals, or any other non-compostable materials to your brown bin.
National Food Waste Recycling Week takes place from 1st to 8th June, 2025.
For more information on what we can do to reduce and recycle food waste, check out Stop Food Waste - Reduce your food waste and save yourself money
For more information:
Food | Climate Action & Biodiversity \ wicklow.ie
Stop Food Waste - Reduce your food waste and save yourself money!